The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/12/22 at 15:00 EST

Episode Date: December 22, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/12/22 at 15:00 EST

Hi, Steve Patterson here, host of The Debaters, the show where we answer your most burning questions, like, do candles deserve more appreciation? Canada's best comedians wax on about it in this week's new episode, so listen wherever you get your podcasts. From CBC News, The World This Hour, I'm Martina Fitzgerald. New numbers from Health Canada suggest the country is experiencing a wave of flu cases not seen in years. And as Lisa Sching reports, along with that, hospitalizations are also on the rise. This year is an H3N2 season. Infectious disease specialist, Isaac Bogash, on why the country is experiencing the highest flu positivity rate in the last three seasons.

He says the rise in cases is because the H3N2 strain of influenza A known for more severe infections is circulating the most. The component that protects us against H3N2 is not as great. good as we'd like it to be. And that's because the virus changes with time. According to Health Canada, the country saw 27.7% of tests come back positive for the second week of December. Flu hospitalizations are increasing too. Even if the vaccine isn't as robust as health professionals wanted to be, it's still important to get the shot to protect yourself and others, says pharmacist Deanna King. The vaccine is there to help reduce risk of getting the infection, but it is also there to help reduce severity.

Experts say cases will peak around Christmas. Lisa Scheng, CBC News, Toronto. Prime Minister Mark Carney is appointing Mark Wiseman, Canada's ambassador to the U.S. A statement from the Prime Minister's Office says Wiseman's career spans three decades in law, business and finance, and he has experience with both countries, economies, financial markets, and institutions. The appointment comes as Canada and the U.S. are locked in a trade war and ahead of a formal review of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The federal government is making a new offer to reform the on-reserve child welfare system. I'm proud to present a new path forward for First Nations and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Goulmasty made the announcement in Ottawa. She says the previous plan drew criticism for its lack of flexibility. And now the idea is to strike regional agreements so that First Nations can tailor the delivery and funding of services to their distinct realities. The plan will come with a $35 billion price tag, which is considerably less than what was offered by the Trudeau government.

But Golmasti points out there will be a top-up. After the initial financing runs out in 2034, Ottawa is committing more than $4 billion in yearly funding. With just three days left until Christmas, many Canadians are scrambling to buy gifts. But as Nisha Patel reports, for many, the holiday budget, a little tighter this year.

Telescope, dinosaurs, trying to get a little knickknacks, little things that will inspire their inspiration. Jason Bogle just finished his Christmas shopping at the Eaton Center in downtown Toronto. Things are tighter. Everyone is feeling it and I'm not spending as much

as last year, but I think that the gifts are more meaning. From presents to decorations, parties to special meals spending during the holiday season can add up. One in five Canadian surveyed by Angus Reed said they're feeling high financial pressure. Angus Reed Research Associate John Roe says there's a lot of anxiety about the economy.

They're worried about maybe they're going to lose their job. They're looking at the cost of groceries and they're saying, yeah, it's very difficult for me to put food on the table to feed my family. That concern may continue. Nearly three and five Canadians surveyed named the cost of living as their top issue heading into 2026. Nisha Vitel, CBC News, Toronto. Barry Manilow has lung cancer. The 82-year-old is postponing shows in January to undergo surgery. Manelow is a Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award winner with a career spanning six decades. He's known for hit recordings, including Mandy, and this one, I write the songs.

In a social media post, Manelow says a recent MRI found a cancerous spot on his lung. But he says the early diagnosis means no chemo, just chicken soup and reruns of I Love Lucy. That is your world this hour. For CBC News, I'm Martina Fitzgerald.